Full Title: The Appreciation of a God: 5 Times Stark Was Grateful for Loki (but didn't know it) and 1 Time Loki Was Grateful for Tony (and did know it)
Chapter Three: For His Advice
Tony paced the floor of his dorm room-single, though not top-notch because, apparently, this was part of the "college experience" he had to experience-and ran a hand through his already messy 15-year-old curls frantically.
"I must say, you simply are the picture of agonizing-teen-hearthrob-in-a-crisis," his lovely brunette friend said, appearing on his bed in a scantily clad medieval-armor suit. Not that it would do much for protection, that very...tiny bikini top and...oh, god.
"Woah!" he exclaimed, covering his eyes with a light flush. "Okay, fairy god-sometimes-mother,-sometimes-father, I believe that is way more skin than I am supposed to see of you outside a weird, fairy-tale style porno,"
"What, don't you like my new look?" she pouted, looking far too coy for her tough image. Tony nodded once and then shook his head many times, rapidly, in order to correct for that accident of showing his instinctual response.
"Well, then," she snapped her fingers and put on some more formal and less revealing-though very flattering as well-clothes. "Is this better, my little prince?"
Tony cautiously peeked through his fingers before taking them away to straighten out his clothes with a cough. "Yes, much better. What am I supposedly in need of now?"
"Oh, you remembered this time," she said happily. "And isn't it obvious? Tony, darling, you're a mess," she gestured with one hand up and down the length of his body. He just sighed and slumped. No use arguing what was clearly obvious and undeniable.
"I know, it's just-" he sighed again as he flopped down next to her on his bed, the only real furniture the room could handle. She settled down next to him in a more serious manner, combing her fingers through his hair. "She's the first girl that I really like, maybe even love, and I want to...you know, make it special for her...and me. But it's hard because she's so experienced and I'm-not,"
She blinked. "You mean, you're a virgin still? The great playboy Tony Stark, charmer of ladies, astounder of men, is a virgin?"
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he said dryly, rolling his eyes. "It's a little hard to get laid when everyone's afraid of the whole age gap thing or unnerved by how incredibly smart I am, and there aren't many child prodigies around for me to hang out with people my own age. Plus, there's no way I could date someone my age after seeing college women first hand. Have you seen the bodies of some of these chicks?"
"You do not look for intellectual stimulation in your choice of partner?" she asked softly, an odd look in her eyes that seemed sad and sympathetic.
"Please," he snorted. "Like there's anyone remotely close to my IQ here. I gave up on that idea a long time ago. It's not that big of a deal," At her sharp disbelieving look, he continued. "Sure, it'd be nice to have a real engaging conversation, but I kinda like being the smartest person in the room,"
"Well, then, genius," she began, standing up and holding out her hands for him to take. He did so gingerly and she yanked him off the mattress until he stumbled almost into her arms. "I guess I'll just have to impart some of my wisdom to help you on your date,"
"If you really want to make this night special, just listen to her," she said while fixing his appearance. "Pay attention to her. Do those gentlemanly things that you think are stupid and overrated. Make her laugh, but sacrifice who you are in order to be funny. That makes you out to be, oh, what do you call it-a dick.
"Caress her when you hold her, show her that you worship her body. And when the moment comes, make it all about her, all about making her feel good. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, though, she'll be there to guide you if you let her and I doubt she expects you to be perfect. If you do all that, I promise you will give her the night of her life, especially if she cares half as much about you as you do about her. There, now you look presentable," she nodded her approval and took a step back.
Tony checked himself out in the mirror and turned to beam at her. That was so much better than he even imagined. His hair actually looked like he planned it to look the way it did and his untucked shirt stopped looking like he was trying too hard. Plus, everything she said not only made sense, but took his nerves away. "Thank you, thank you so much!"
She couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Do me proud, Tony," she whispered, vanishing into the wind.
He did, making Nan's night the best she ever had. And Tony took the teaching to heart. Every lover of his knew full well that he was a love-them-and-leave-them kind of guy, preferring not to get close to all but a handful of people almost by accident and convenience, but he definitely was the most classy of them.
Not to mention, the most talented.